Mark Hughes has come out fighting ahead of Stoke City's weekend clash with fellow strugglers West Ham. Far from being cowed by overseeing Stoke's worst start to a Premier League campaign, the Welshman insists he is looking up, not down.

As always, we will bring you all the latest Stoke City news, rumours and opinion throughout the day. We also want to hear from you too, so please send us your views via our Stoke City Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Merse goes for home win

Paul Merson is putting his money on Stoke to beat West Ham 1-0 and has plenty to say for himself...

Stoke need to win this game and I don’t like going against them at home. Their form recently has not been good but this is a must-win game. Mark Hughes will be under even more pressure from the fans if they don’t win.

I like Mark. You have to take into consideration that they sold one of their best players in Marko Arnautovic and didn’t really buy anybody. One of their best players now is Peter Crouch, who is 36. It looks to me like they have gone ‘we are just going to stay up, what’s the point in spending £80m or £90m, we are not going to get anywhere.

15:28

If only Rob Green was in goal for the Hammers tomorrow...

14:01

Why I fear for Stoke City and Mark Hughes...

Stoke and West Ham old boy Matty Etherington believes the Potters campaign was flawed right from the start... and he’s no fan of Kevin Wimmer. Here’s what he’s had to say...

Kevin Wimmer at Wembley last week... Matty is not a great fan (Image: Catherine Ivill)

14:00

Man City knocked out of the FA Youth Cup

Stoke’s conquerors last season were beaten by Plymouth Argyle via a shoot-out last night in a major shock.

13:55

Moyes 'surprised' by Stoke's leaky defence

It’s a meeting of the Premier League’s two leakiest defences tomorrow. Moyes insists he’s surprised that Stoke are one of them.

I think Stoke have got good defenders. They signed Zouma and have Martins-Indi and company (not Kompany...), so I am a bit surprised they have conceded so many goals.

While winning home games is always vital. For us to be in a good position at the end of the season, we need to win games on the road.

They haven’t won many games recently, so we have to pick up on that.

13:53

Marko Arnautovic has 'proved his worth'

David Moyes has given his verdict on Arnie before his return to the bet365 Stadium this weekend.

Marko has proved his worth in recent games, scoring the winning goal against Chelsea.

You need players who can make the difference.

Everyone at Stoke knows him and that’s why he got the move an Stoke got a really good price for him. We want him to do it regularly for us .

13:52

David Moyes: Mark Hughes has done a good job over many years

David Moyes has held his press conference as he prepares to bring West Ham to Stoke.

Stoke has always been a tough place to play. Mark has done a great job over many years. They’ve got some really good senior players. We also know they have ability in attacking areas.

I can only say we are buoyant, in good form and we go there in a good mindset.

We want to get away from the bottom end of the table. We need to build on this week and get a positive result.

12:41

Keen on that free-kick routine

We’re all keen on that free-kick routine.

12:25

Diouf v Homelessness

11:53

Beware the real West Ham danger man...

No, it’s not Arnie. The real West Ham threat tomorrow will come in the form of former Man U striker Javier Hernandez, who has an impressive goal record against the Potters. The Mexican can boasted five goals and two assists in the nine matches he has so far played against Stoke. And he’s coming into form too. “Chicharito” came off the bench to almost win the Hammers’ midweek clash with Arsenal, curling in a late effort which crashed down off the cross-bar and onto the goal line before being cleared.

West Ham's Mexican striker Javier Hernandez. (Image: GLYN KIRK)

11:25

The big question

10:44

Salif Diao and Co a tough act to follow

So says Mame Diouf as he aims to emulate former Stoke favourite Salif Diao who reached the World Cup quarter finals with Senegal back in 2002.

Here’s what Diouf has been saying as he relishes next summer’s tournament.

They put the bar so high, so it’s a tough challenge but we have to believe in ourselves,” Diouf told BBC Sport.

We are a young team. Everyone has ambitions to do something at the World Cup. We will go there and try to do our best to beat the challenge.

Arnie angst...

Mark Hughes is a great fan of Stoke old boy Marko Arnautovic, despite the sour nature of his departure for West Ham in the summer. But the Potters boss is not sure Arnie will receive a warm welcome on his return to the bet365 tomorrow. Here’s what he’s been saying...

At last... former Stoke City man Marko Arnautovic scores his first West Ham goal in 1-0 win over Chelsea. (Image: Dan Mullan)

07:14

Bruno's plea...

Bruno Martins Indi asked to be able to deliver a message to Stoke fans ahead of tomorrow’s tough home clash with fellow strugglers West Ham. Here’s what he had to say...

Bruno Martins-Indi was at Pirehill First School, Stone, after their class won the Stoke City Primary Stars Christmas party. (Image: Malcolm Hart)